Land trusts are being proposed in Florida to hedge gentrification.
In Winter Park, FL, which has long been "the target of land speculators who buy the homes of elderly residents, often at below-market prices, and build high-priced homes or businesses, squeezing out residents," officials and experts presented "the concept of a land trust, which, in essence, creates a private, nonprofit corporation to acquire and hold land in residential areas to stop so-called gentrification. The property's value, and government funds, are used as leverage to continue purchasing more affordable houses....Land trusts allow low-income home buyers to qualify for low-cost loans because they are buying just the house; the trust owns the land. Homes can be handed down to children and grandchildren over 99 years. Trusts are operated by a board of directors that includes residents, community leaders and private businesses....Homeowners who want to sell get back the money they paid in, plus 25 percent of the property's appreciation value...."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Trusts a new concept in affordable housing

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie